China has accused the U.S. of “bullying” after President Joe Biden backed new sanctions on Russia and its allies last week. Tensions between the two nations continues to simmer, with China denouncing U.S. trade actions and accusations about its role in the war in Ukraine.
Following Friday’s announcement, which will also sanction dozens of out-of-country individuals and organizations in and from China, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the U.S. of “illegal ‘long-arm jurisdiction’” that is “detrimental to Chinese interests.” She said the country’s government rejected the move, adding that China’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict “has been objective and fair… we have actively promoted peace talks and sought a political solution.”
The spokesperson further accused the U.S. of “fanning the flame and fueling the fight with more weaponry,” referring to the $32 billion in military aid it has supplied to Ukraine since the war began a year ago. Ming described America’s relationship with Ukraine as “out-and-out hegemonism and double standard, and absolute hypocrisy.”
U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price reiterated concerns shared by the administration last week that China could be “contemplating providing lethal assistance to Russia.”
Related Stories
China “has attempted to maintain this veneer of neutrality,” telling the world that it is not taking a position on the war in Ukraine, he added on Monday. Last week, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China is “promoting peace talks” between Russia and Ukraine, but Price said “the PRC has been anything but an honest broker.”
While U.S. intelligence does not indicate that China has provided lethal assistance to Russia, Price reiterated sentiments shared by Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week—namely, that the country is “considering” doing so. “Leaving that aside, the PRC has already provided important forms of assistance to Russia,” Price added, from diplomatic to political and economic support, as well as “rhetorical support, including by parroting Russia’s dangerous propaganda, dangerous lies, and disinformation on the world stage.”
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Beijing Tuesday for a scheduled visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and other issues. Lukashenko is a known ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, having allowed Russian troops to launch their offensive on Ukraine from Belarusian territory last year.